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ROTO RAYS

The Roto Rays warning light units are claimed to have been in use for the past 65 years. Roto Rays, Inc. is located at 722 Park Ave. in Herndon, VA 20170.

The Roto Rays warning light unit is made up of 3 sealed beam lights which rotate in a vertical plane at 200 RPM. The plane of rotation is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

The following photos of a Roto Rays warning light unit were taken on July 20, 1998. The unit was mounted to the front of a fire truck located at the Elbridge Fire Station on E. Main St. in Elbridge, NY 13060. The unit in the photos is a Model 200W. The Model 200 has 3 red sealed beam lights, whereas the 200W has 2 red and 1 clear. Both models draw 10 amps at 12.8 volts.

The fire personnel at the Elbridge Fire Station informed me that they have the only Roto Rays unit in New York State (July 20, 1998).
This fire department is very happy with the effectiveness of this unit as opposed to the conventional light rack. Glare or reflection during a snowstorm tends to be a problem with the roof mounted warning lights. The clear bulb's sweeping patterns on a roof mounted unit tends to interfere with visibility through the windshield. The Roto Rays unit, being located on the nose of the truck, does not have this problem. The fire personnel also stated that it is very effective as a warning light in getting the attention of motorists. They said that the fire industry would most likely favor purchase of this unit in the future.

It is interesting that this light's patent was filed in 1927 - perhaps one of the first mechanical warning light units. With the many developments in light racks, beacons, strobes, etc. - the fire personnel are finding that in 1998 this unit does have some definite advantages.
The railroad industry had to decide the advantages of a roof mounted warning light unit for height (warning visibility) versus the effect of glare or reflection from snow or fog which would favor a nose mounted unit.